Man Admits Killing Girlfriend, Shooting Self

A West Palm Beach man admitted in court Monday that he killed his estranged girlfriend with a shotgun last year shortly before turning the weapon on himself in an unsuccessful attempt at suicide.

Paul V. Dell, 45, who blew off the lower half of his face, appeared in court with a padded brace under his jaw. Also present were the son, daughter and sister of his victim, Mary Lou Buckler, 44.

On April 23, 1985, police found a bloodied Dell wandering through a suburban neighborhood about a mile from the home he shared with Buckler. He had shot her once in the chest with the gun before shooting himself in the chin.

Dell originally was charged with first-degree murder. He pleaded guilty Monday to a lesser charge of second-degree murder with a firearm.

Circuit Judge Richard Burk sentenced Dell to 15 years in prison with a minimum term of three years. He also fined Dell $200, but agreed to postpone assessment of the fine because Dell has no money with which to pay it.

Assistant State Attorney Pablo Perhacs said the family approved of the plea arrangement.

Burk asked why the arrangement did not require Dell to pay restitution. Perhacs said he had never arranged restitution in such a case.

But Burk said Florida statute requires it. At minimum, Dell should pay for Buckler`s funeral, he said.

Buckler`s son, Lee Lankford, said such restitution would make little difference.

``We don`t feel that paying for the funeral will compensate,`` he said. ``No amount of money restitution can ever compensate for the loss.``

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Perhacs said officials at the Department of Corrections told him Dell probably would serve at least eight years of his term.

``I would wager it`s not going to be that period of time,`` Burk said. ``I don`t accept those figures as gospel.``

Lankford wanted to know what had become of the car his mother gave Dell. How could Dell be declared indigent if he still owned the car, he said.

Dell told Burk that, as far as he knew, the car had been junked. Lankford reluctantly agreed to drop the matter.

``Obviously, you can`t get anything out of him,`` Lankford said. ``If it`s going to be a hangup, just move on. We just want him to get as much time as possible.``